Pride Month Q&A

Aaron (Operations Manager) – Do it! GCHQ and the wider intelligence agencies are very inclusive organisations and you are bound to find a group of people who share the same values as you from day one.

Julia (Software Engineer) - Don’t let fear of your background hold you back. The organisation is determined to change and you can be a part of that. The Pride groups are supportive and run at a peer level without management involvement. But if we need something the senior leadership team are there for us.

David (Senior Leader Countering Serious Crime) - Go for it! It’s a great place to work on fascinating topics with amazing people.

Aaron – The academic challenge and the chance to make a difference. Having spent seven years as a science teacher I wanted a new challenge and a chance to use my skills for good. The opportunities to travel with work and live in different countries was also a factor.

Julia – The mission’s values, goals and the variety of work.

David - I was interested in technology and in international affairs, and I wanted to do something good for society - although GCHQ was very secretive then, it sounded worth applying to. I was then totally hooked by the unusual selection process which involved solving challenging and intriguing puzzles.

Aaron – Take every opportunity that presents itself. I was hesitant to get involved in extra activities such as Pride when I first started as I didn’t know how it would impact my work. It turns out GCHQ actively encourage employees to get involved with these things.

Julia – Go with the flow and don’t be overawed or feel intimidated by the amount there is to learn. Give yourself time to settle in.

David - Be curious! Keep asking questions, keep learning, keep making a difference.

Aaron – Diverse.

Julia – Warm.

David – Friendly.

Aaron – I work as an Ops Manager, meaning I manage a small team of analysts who are working on a set project. I get in around 0845, check my emails and attend the team stand up which is a chance for me to check in with my team and ensure everyone is happy with the day ahead and talk through any issues they faced yesterday. This will be followed up with some desk time where I look at my current project and think about our next steps. By this point it’s usually time for a coffee, so I have a walk down to one of the many coffee outlets to stretch my legs. The rest of my day will be spent speaking with different teams who are involved in my project to check requirements and plan future bits of work. As I’m a line manager some of my time will be spent helping my analysts and checking in with them, talking about their development and wellbeing. I usually finish around 5pm, however with flexitime this changes – coming from the rigid cycle of a teacher I am still adjusting to the freedom we have here at GCHQ.

Julia – We work in an agile way, so each morning there is a stand up with the team to layout yesterday’s achievements, today’s objectives and any blockers. After that it’s down to work. However, there are lots of conferences, training and group meetups so most days have an extra hour or two taken up by that. These are great ways to support the mission in addition to day-to-day activities. I also spend an hour a day on continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure I keep my skills up to date and so that I can contribute to the technical direction of the organisation.

David - It’s a bit of a cliché but there’s never a normal day…however almost every day involves working with colleagues across GCHQ and our stakeholders to make a positive impact on the real world – in my role, that means reducing the harm to the UK from serious crime.

Aaron – In short, we have an incredibly inclusive working environment, and right from the start of my career I have felt like I belong. Leadership are very visible when it comes to creating an inclusive environment and lead from the top, even simple things like putting pronouns in their email signature blocks and being diversity champions. There is a huge focus on self-development, even during the pandemic there have been interesting talks and virtual conferences to attend. In my experience line managers have always had my best interests at heart and recognise my experience from outside the organisation as valuable. We also have groups like Pride who are here to offer support and a friendly place to talk about anything from LGBTQ+ issues around the world to the weather. During the pandemic GCHQ has been superb at recognising everyone has individual challenges during this hard time. This past year I have been very proud to work here.

Julia – I think my management team made me feel so welcome that being transgender just isn’t an issue. One of my managers opened up to me that he was on the spectrum for autism. It’s obvious that the organisation really values diversity and wants to change – so why not be part of that change?

David - I work flexible hours, working when I feel most productive. There’s an emphasis on learning and a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, meaning that I’m completely open about being gay myself and respecting other people for their different backgrounds and ways of thinking.

Aaron – GCHQ is a fast moving and innovative organisation. This past year we have had to adapt very quickly to new challenges so it is really hard to answer. All I know is that GCHQ will be there to respond to whatever comes our way. As for me, well there are so many different career paths you can take, I will see what takes my fancy when it’s time for me to change.

Julia – A place where diverse opinions are respected and encouraged. A place where, with hard work, you can achieve your personal goals not matter what your background.

David - Fast-paced, dynamic and cutting-edge. Having fun doing cool things to make the world a better place.